William was employed at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., from 1953 to 1958 as an administrative assistant while attending and graduating from Georgetown University Law School. He earned his JD in 1957 and a master's degree in 1958.

Bill served in the N.H. Attorney General's office from 1958 to 1967 prior to leaving as deputy attorney general. He then served as a prosecutor for the city of Manchester (1967-1970), associate justice Manchester District Court (1970-1983), and associate justice in N.H. Superior Court (1983-1994).

He was a member of the N.H. and Manchester Bar Associations, the Administrative Committee for District and Municipal Courts in the 1970's, the N.H. Judicial Conduct Committee (1977-1983), American Legion Henry J. Sweeney Post No. 2, the Elks Club and the Raphael Social Club.

The family would like to thank the Central NH VNA for the wonderful care they provided Bill during his final days.

Family members include his wife of 53 years Grace (Annis) O'Neil of Manchester; his children, Coleen Symonds and husband Peter of Bristol, William J. O'Neil and wife Ann of Manchester, Shane P. O'Neil and his husband Andrew M. Povich of Chicago, James M. O'Neil and wife Diane of Bedford, John M. O'Neil of Manchester; his grandchildren, Matthew, Ashleigh, Abigail, Allison, Brendan, Jessica, Connor, Taryn, and Barrett; one brother, Denis O'Neil of Manchester; many nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Mary Ann O'Neil, his brother Daniel O'Neil, and sister Kathleen Noonan.

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SERVICES: Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Anne-St. Augustin Church. Committal prayers and military burial honors will be accorded in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Central NH VNA Program, 780 Main St, Laconia, NH 03246.